**The Toyota Cheetahs began the new year with a bang and will be aiming to kick-start a run of form when they travel to the Isuzu Southern Kings in the South African derby.**

With the Six Nations about to get underway, the two Southern Hemisphere sides meet for the first time this season in one of the most eagerly-awaited contests of the year.

What’s at stake? The Cheetahs ran in five tries at Zebre in a 27-12 win last time out and remain sixth in Conference A, but a record of three wins in their last five rounds has kept them in the hunt for a Guinness PRO14 Finals Series berth.

Meanwhile, the Isuzu Southern Kings sit bottom of Conference B after suffering defeat at Edinburgh two weeks ago, and they haven’t tasted victory since hosting Glasgow Warriors in Round 4.

Team news (Southern Kings): Head coach Deon Davids has named an experienced squad with six changes made from the starting XV that lost 38-0 at Edinburgh.

Forwards Schalk Ferreira, Michael Willemse and Henry Brown come back into the side while Bjorn Basson, Berton Klaasen and Ntabeni Dukisa feature in the backline.

Team news (Toyota Cheetahs): Head coach Franco Smith has named an unchanged line-up from the trip to Zebre, with Nico Lee set to make his 50th appearance for the club.

Oupa Mohoje, Jacques Du Toit and Jamba Ulenga remain absent injured but the competition’s leading try-scorer Rabz Maxwane starts once again.

Talking points:

Southern Kings head coach Deon Davids said: “We have selected a rather experienced side this week as we are fortunate to have quite a few of our players back from some lengthy injuries.

“We know that this derby against the Cheetahs will be a tough encounter, so we are happy to be able pick from a large pool of players in order to have one of the strongest possible sides for the important match.”

Toyota Cheetahs captain Tian Meyer said: “It’s always going to be a big clash because it’s a derby. Every year we play the Kings it’s a big game. The team is ready for the fight, which is why we are preparing to put out our best performance.”

Key battle: Yaw Penxe v Rabz Maxwane

Rabz Maxwane has been quick to punish defensive errors this season and will be licking his lips against a porous Cheetahs defence.

He has eight so far this campaign, the most in the Guinness PRO14, and the Southern Kings have shifted Yaw Penxe to right wing to try and combat him.

Maxwane has made more clean breaks (15) and beaten more defenders (21) than any of his teammates and will be a real handful.

Key stat: The Cheetahs have won successive away games only once before in the Championship — in April 2018.

Did you know? The two sides have met on seven previous occasions in all competitions with Cheetahs winning them all – this is the first meeting between the two at Madibaz Stadium.

Southern Kings: Masixole Banda, Yaw Penxe, Tertius Kruger, Berton Klaasen, Bjorn Basson, Ntabeni Dukisa, Stefan Ungerer, Schalk Ferreira, Michael Willemse, Nicolaas Oosthuizen, Stephan Greeff, John-Charles Astle ©, Velleman Cyril John, Brown Henry, Lerm Ruaan

Replacements: Alandre Van Rooyen, Lupumlo Mguca, Rossouw De Klerk, Andries Van Schalkwyk, Andisa Ntsila, Sarel Pretorius, Martin Du Toit, Harlon Klaasen

Toyota Cheetahs: Malcolm Jaer, William Small-Smith, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Nico Lee, Rabz Maxwane, Tian Schoeman, Tian Meyer ©, Ox Nche, Joseph Dweba, Aranos Coetzee, Justin Basson, JP du Preez, Gerhard Olivier, Junior Pokomela, Daniel Maartens

Replacements: Marnus van der Merwe, Charles Marais, Luan de Bruin, Sintu Manjezi, Walt Steenkamp, Abongile Nonkontwana, Shaun Venter, Louis Fouche

TV: Live on SuperSport (19:00), eir sport 1 & Free Sports (both 17:00)

Referee: Quinton Immelman (SARU)

AR1: Cwengile Jadezweni (SARU)

AR2: Paul Mente (SARU)

TMO: Shaun Veldsman (SARU)